Gemotions

The bookstore was crammed with people, the air thick with the scent of paper and ink. Alex, browsing the shelves, froze. There, on a table near the entrance, was a display of college admissions guides. And there, in the featured examples section, was his essay. A wave of bewilderment washed over her. She felt a profound instability.

She felt a strange disconnect, like she was watching herself from a distance. The words, once so meaningful, now felt alien, belonging to someone else. She wanted to scream, to run.

She stepped back, bumping into a display of notebooks. Papers scattered across the floor. She mumbled an apology, her voice barely a whisper, and quickly retreated, feeling like everyone was staring at her.